What is annuloplasty?

Annuloplasty is a type of procedure performed for treating a leaky heart valve. The heart contains four valves. These valves open and close to send blood through the heart. Improper closing of the heart valve may result in backward leakage of blood and the heart fails to pump blood efficiently through the body. Annuloplasty involves placing a small band around the ring that surrounds the heart valve, known as the annulus. This band will reinforce the ring to help the heart valve close tightly and reduce the risk of the blood flowing backward. In this article, we will discuss in detail annuloplasty. How long will an annuloplasty ring last? In most cases, the annuloplasty ring last many decades and do not require a replacement. Annuloplasty rings are designed in a manner so that they can stay permanently in place. Over time, the heart will grow around the ring such that the ring will become a part of the heart. Who needs to undergo an annuloplasty? A person having a leaky heart valve (valve regurgitation) may need to undergo an annuloplasty. The different types of annuloplasty procedures that may be performed, depending on the heart valve being repaired, include: Mitral valve annuloplasty: It is a type of mitral valve repair. Aortic valve annuloplasty: It is a type of aortic valve repair. Tricuspid valve annuloplasty: It is a type of tricuspid valve repair Pulmonary valve annuloplasty: It is a type of pulmonary valve repair. What is an annuloplasty ring? The surgeon places a ring-like device around the heart valve during annuloplasty. This is known as an annuloplasty ring. It is made up of mesh, metal, or plastic. This ring mimics the natural movement and flexibility of the heart valve. This ring stays in place permanently and aids the valve to open and close properly. What is the preparation before an annuloplasty? The doctor will give specific instructions on how to prepare for an annuloplasty. You will be told to fast after midnight, the day before the procedure. Let your doctor know if you have any bleeding disorders. If you are taking any blood-thinning medications, you will be asked to stop taking them temporarily before the procedure. How is annuloplasty done? Annuloplasty is generally performed under general anesthesia, which means that you will be asleep during the surgery and not be aware of what is happening. Annuloplasty can be performed using the following different techniques: Open heart annuloplasty: The surgeon will make a large incision or cut in the chest region near the heart. The affected heart valve is located. The annuloplasty ring is placed or sewed around the heart valve. The incision is closed using surgical glue or stitches. Minimally-invasive surgery: The surgeon will make several small incisions in the chest region near the heart. Small, flexible tubes with cameras (endoscope) or tools are inserted through the incisions. The tools and camera are used to sew or place the annuloplasty ring around the affected heart valve. The tools and camera are then retracted and the incisions are closed using stitches or surgical glue. Transcatheter procedure: The surgeon will guide a thin, flexible tube, known as a catheter, through an artery in the groin region (femoral artery) to the affected valve to perform an annuloplasty. This procedure is still under clinical trials. The heart muscle will grow around the annuloplasty ring over time and act as any other portion of the heart. What is the recovery like following annuloplasty? Immediately after annuloplasty surgery, you will rest in the recovery room of the hospital. You will be monitored by healthcare professionals. Most patients undergoing minimally-invasive surgery can go home in three to five days, provided there are no complications. Patients undergoing open-heart surgery will need to stay for up to seven days in the hospital or even longer if there are complications. You will need to avoid strenuous activities fie at least a week after surgery. Most patients can go back to work within one or two weeks after surgery, but patients having a physically demanding job may have to wait longer before resuming work. You will have regular follow-up appointments with your surgeon after the procedure. During these appointments, the surgeon will check your incisions to make sure that they are healing properly. The doctor may also recommend taking an imaging test, known as an echocardiogram, to check how well the annuloplasty ring is working. What are the benefits of an annuloplasty? Annuloplasty has the following advantages: Reinforcement of leaky heart valve Improved blood flow through the heart Helps the heart to pump blood more efficiently Results last a lifetime for most people What are the risks of annuloplasty? Like any other surgery, annuloplasty has certain risks. These risks may include: Blood clot formation Ring malfunction Irregular heartbeat Stroke Infection Bleeding